The HSE has strenuously denied reports that staff at a health clinic in Oranmore have been forced to return to work at a premises infested with rats.

In a statement to the Galway Independent, a spokesperson for the HSE said that although staff had returned to work on Tuesday, the clinic had previously undergone a full examination and they had found no evidence of rodents.

"Following reports that rodents were sighted at our health centre at Oranmore on Thursday last, 16 November, the HSE immediately evacuated the building, cancelled the clinics that were underway at that time and rescheduled appointments to an alternative building in the city.

"A pest control company was then brought to inspect the building for any evidence of rodent infestation. The centre was closed for the weekend and was re-inspected on Monday 19 November in conjunction with the Environmental Health Department HSE West. While there was no evidence of rodent infestation, the HSE's Environmental Health Department, together with the pest control company will continue to monitor the building," said the spokesperson.

The health authority also said that it was continuing in its efforts to source a new building for the services provided at the Oranmore Health Centre and reiterated that there was never any question of staff returning to the building until the all-clear was given by the external pest control company and their Environmental Health Officers.

It was responding to claims by Oranmore based senator Fidelma Healy Eames who earlier raised concerns over the health risks still associated with the premises.

"HSE management asked the centre's nurses to return to work on Tuesday, in spite of concerns that the rat infestation has not been cleared and that the premises is currently unsuitable for children, parents and staff. There is no guarantee that all health risks will have been eradicated and no one should be expected to return to work in these conditions," said Senator Healy Eames.

She also hit out at the HSE for their refusal to improve the state of the local clinic, saying that it is taking patients back to "the dark ages".

"Two and a half years ago, the HSE deemed this centre unsuitable because it was too small for the growing local population and in poor condition. However, the HSE has made little effort to find an alternative. I am tired of this type of inadequate health delivery by the HSE. I raised this matter a number of times within the HSE Forum West to no avail. I now understand that the issue is 'with the property committee, on hold pending the outcome of review'. Meanwhile, senior management has admitted they are "powerless" to take action," she said.

"The irony is that HSE Chief Executive, Professor Brendan Drumm has told the Oireachtas that he would like to see hospital patients returning to the community as soon as possible after their treatment. Yet in the case of Oranmore, patients would be returned to the dark ages because of the appalling state of the health centre."

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